Unveiling of rock star memorial is a family affair

Dec 19 2007 by Chris Robinson, The Journal

FANS and friends of North-East musician Chas Chandler turned out for the unveiling of a memorial at his former home yesterday.

Dozens stood outside 35 Second Avenue, in Heaton, Newcastle, where the former bassist of The Animals once lived with his parents.

Chandler, who died in 1996 after suffering heart problems, was also the manager of American legend Jimi Hendrix and ’70s rockers Slade.

His wife Madeleine and children Lizzie, Katie and Alex unveiled the plaque yesterday, on what would have been their father’s 69th birthday.

Newcastle City Council’s conservation advisory committee agreed to honour the musician in August. The late rocker also helped establish one of the region’s top entertainment venues, the Newcastle Arena.

Madeleine said: “It’s really special and we would just like to thank everyone for turning out today. We are really honoured as a family. And we are every proud that Chas has been recognised in this way.

“He lived in this house with his parents and went to school in Heaton so it was an area very close to him. I know he would have been proud of today.”

Chandler, a former Heaton Grammar School pupil, went on to have hits including The House of the Rising Sun. He later moved to Cullercoats, North Tyneside, where he lived with his wife and their four children.

Newcastle has more than 90 black plaques in memory of famous people, which are part of the city’s heritage trail.

Architecture student Rachel Phillips, 22, who lives in the house with six friends, said it was a shock when they discovered who had once lived inside.

The Newcastle University undergraduate said: “I have heard of The Animals but didn’t really know who he was, but we’ve looked him up and found out he was a the bass player.

“It’s a really nice house. I can’t believe how many people have turned up. It’s quite mad really.”

Chris Robinson